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Current Affairs - 03 August 2017

General Affairs

Railways Dispatches Special Trains For Flood-Hit Areas: Government

The government today said it has dispatched special trains to flood-hit areas in Assam and Gujarat to facilitate movement of passengers and goods.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said the railways has introduced three special trains -- Silchar-Guwahati and Murkong Selek-Guwahati in Assam, and Palanpur-Bhuj in Gujarat.

"Railways runs special trains wherever there is passenger demand, including flood-affected areas," said Mr Prabhu.

The minister said the Railways also transports essential items as and when demand arises and also on request from different quarters, including voluntary organisations, National Disaster Management Authority and others.

Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam and parts of West Bengal were hit by widespread floods that have claimed several lives.

The government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that 74 tigers have died so far this year, which works out an average of 11 tigers per month in the first seven months.

With 122 deaths, including 21 confirmed poaching and seizure cases, 2016 registered an alarming rise in tiger deaths. If the current trend continues, this year may fare worse.

According to the break up provided by the government, till July 25, the number of confirmed cases of poaching, including seizure, stands at 15, while 53 cases are under scrutiny. Fiver tigers have died due to natural causes.

With six cases, Maharashtra tops the charts in terms of poaching and seizure cases, while Assam with five deaths is trailing closely behind.

However, at 12, the maximum number of cases under scrutiny is in Madhya Pradesh. Eleven cases are being probed in Karnataka, according to the reply to a written question.

India has 50 tiger reserves and the total number of tigers, according to official assessment, is 2,226.

2013 and 2014 had recorded 79 and 81 tiger deaths respectively, where cases of poaching and seizure were 19 and 21, according to official data.

"Owing to high detection rate as a result of better enforcement and effective coordination amongst different enforcement agencies of the government and field formations under the state government, an increase was noticed in 2016," the reply said.

48 IAS, IPS, IRS Officers Face Corruption Cases: Government

The government has approved sanction for prosecution of 48 IAS, IPS, and IRS officers for their alleged involvement in corruption, Parliament was informed today.

Of these, 23 were from Indian Administrative Service, three from Indian Police Service and 22 from Indian Revenue Service, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

The sanction to prosecute them was granted from 2014-15 till date, he said.

A total of 13 such officers have been dismissed from service during the same period. They include four IAS officers, one from IPS, and eight from IRS, the minister said.

No Plan To Set Up Collegium To Select Election Commissioners: Government

The government today said it has no proposal to introduce a 'collegium' system to appoint election commissioners, a recommendation made by the Law Commission as part of its report on electoral reforms.

It also said that it has no plans as of now to draft a law on selecting the chief election commissioner as well as fellow election commissioners.

"No madam," said Minister of state for Law PP Chaudhary in the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question on whether there was a proposal to introduce a collegium system as part of a selection process to appoint election commissioners in future.

"At present, no such proposal is under consideration of the union government," the minister said to a question on whether the Centre will seek the advice of all parties before drafting a law on the selection process of Chief Election Commissioner and fellow Election Commissioners.

In its March 2015 report on electoral reforms, the law panel had recommended that the appointment of all election commissioners, including the Chief Election Commissioner, should be made by the President in consultation with a three-member collegium or selection committee, consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition of the Lok Sabha (or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha) and the Chief Justice of India.

The then Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi too had favoured a collegium-type setup to choose the CEC and Election Commissioners.

Noting that the present selection process is vulnerable to "manipulation and partisanship," BJP veteran LK Advani had in 2012 asked the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to introduce a broad-based collegium system to appoint election commissioners and the Comptroller and Auditor General.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the then chairman of the BJP Parliamentary Party had said the present system where members to the Election Commission are appointed by the President "solely on the advice of the Prime Minister, does not evoke confidence among the people."

The President appoints the CEC and Election Commissioners after the Law Ministry initiates the file for their appointment. The CEC can be removed from office only through impeachment by Parliament.

The government can remove the Election Commissioners based on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

The precedent is to appoint the senior-most election commissioner as the Chief Election Commissioner.

Cyber Attacks On India Minimum, But Government Alert: IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

Cyber attacks on India is "minimum", but the government has taken a number of steps for protection of the Indian cyber-space with proper synergies with all monitoring agencies, IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.

As per the information reported to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERTIn), a total of 65 incidents involving ransomware were reported between 2014 and 2017 till June, he said in the Lok Sabha.

The details of the financial impact of these incidents is not reported to CERT-In, which provides technical support and remediation, he said during Question Hour.

Mr Prasad said the government was very cognizant about the security of the cyber world and was taking pro-active steps for its protection.

"India is becoming a digital power. We have an elaborate system for cyber security. However, the cyber attacks on India is very minimum, but we are always alert," he said during Question Hour.

Terming the hackers as "digital fugitives", the minister said data protection was very crucial for any country as "data is new oil".

Mr Prasad said various security agencies were working in close coordination for the protection of the cyber-space and the government has already constituted a 10-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice B N Srikrishna, to deliberate on a data protection framework for the country.

The panel will make specific suggestions to the government on the principles to be considered for data protection and also suggest a draft data protection bill.

Mr Prasad also said the data related to Aadhaar was completely safe and its server was in India.

"Propagation of ransomware called WannaCry/WannaCrypt has been reported in many countries around the world including India since 12 May 2017. Propagation of another ransomware called Petya was also reported since 27 June 2017.

"34 incidents have been reported to CERT-In from organisations and individuals regarding infections of Wannacry and Petya ransomware," he said.

Mr Prasad said operations of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Mumbai were partially affected by the Petya ransomware and decryption tools for some of the ransomware are available which allows users to decrypt their unusable/encrypted files.

"With regards to WannaCry Ransomware, decryption tools have limited capability at present and hence have not been very successful. With regards to the new variant of Petya ransomware, there is no decryption tool publicly available.

For all ransomware attacks, data affected could be restored from a data backup, if available, thereby minimising the impact of these attacks," he said.

Business Affairs

Lok Sabha passes 2 bills extending CGST, IGST to Jammu and Kashmir

The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed two bills extending Central GST and Integrated GST to Jammu and Kashmir, with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley saying the step will ensure greater economic integration of the state with rest of the country.

He asserted that special status of Jammu and Kashmir was "never meant to create economic impediment" as he maintained that the GST is in the larger interest of traders and consumers of Jammu and Kashmir

The Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill and the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill passed by the House by a voice vote are aimed at giving effect to the formal amendments required in Central GST (CGST) and Integrated GST (IGST) Acts by removing the exemption that was carved out for J&K.

Replying to a debate on the bills, Jaitley said it was a positive step that Jammu and Kashmir has been integrated with GST and the dream of one tax regime is now met.

He hit out at the Congress for its reported claim that GST would infringe upon the special status of J&K.

The finance minister said a national party such as the Congress should not have got itself entangled by taking such a stand which is the "argument of the separatists".

He asserted that the "special status (was) never meant to create economic impediment" for the state whose government, asssembly and people he "complimented" for the roll out of the new tax regime.

"If they (J&K) didn't integrate, then the traders would not have got input credit and the tax on final products would have been higher... That would have made products costlier and consumers would have to pay more," the minister said.

"J&K is a consumer state and GST being a destination- based tax, the revenues of the state would increase," he said.

He said if GST was not put in place in J&K, then customers would prefer to buy products like cars and refrigerators from outside the state, thus causing economic loss to traders and customers of the state.

The CGST (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017 provides for levy of the GST on goods sold and services rendered in the state while the IGST (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Bill, 2017 seeks to levy the tax on inter-state movement of goods.

The GST, which replaced more than a dozen central and state levies, came into effect from July 1 all over the country except J&K where the assembly passed a resolution adopting the constitutional amendment only on July 5.

Thereafter, the President issued an ordinance extending the provisions to the state. This was necessary because of the special status that J&K enjoys in the Constitution.

The J&K assembly then passed the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 which came into force on July 8, 2017.

As Parliament was not in session and an urgent legislation was required to be made, the President had promulgated the Central Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Ordinance, 2017 and the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (Extension to Jammu and Kashmir) Ordinance, 2017 on July 8, said the statement of Objects and reasons of the two bills.

Participating in the discussion on the bills, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Cong) asked the government to ponder over why it is taking recourse to Ordinance for every legislation.

He said while the UPA government was accused of policy paralysis, the present government is undergoing "policy dialysis" and hence there was "economic stasis".

"When we have access to Parliament, we should not frequently resort to Ordinance," he said, adding the government had failed to impress upon the J&K government to implement GST from July 1.

Chowdhury said GST, as implemented, cannot be called 'one nation, one tax' as nearly 50 per cent of the GDP remains out of its ambit.

"Given the sensitivity of the J&K region, you should have been better prepared before introducing the tax regime," he said, adding the apprehension of people of the state should be allayed by assuring that Article 370 giving them special status as well as fiscal autonomy would not be tampered with.

Shashi Tharoor (Cong) said that extending GST to J&K has "serious impact" as it alters the taxation power of the state and by "impinging" on the state's right the Centre is violating the Constitution.

"J&K must be approached with sensitivity, but no sensitivity was shown as the bill was passed in assembly when Opposition was not present... It could signal future problems," Tharoor said.

He said the state has been dealing with conflict and the government should not do anything which impacts its stability.

"GST was implemented in extreme haste... GST Network is in shambles," he said, adding Malaysia was given one-year time before GST was implemented there.

While the Centre had promised a simple tax, in reality GST has become 'one nation, three slabs and six taxes' (0, 5, 12, 18, 28 and 40 per cent), Tharoor said, adding the structure is "irresponsibly complicated".

The Congress leader from Kerala said that J&K is facing increased terrorism and "we need to do everything to protect the interest" of the state and see that it is not undermined by "finance ministry's terrorism".

Anandrao Adsul of NDA ally Shiv Sena said that Article 370, which grants special status to J&K, should be removed.

Thupstan Chhewang, BJP member from Ladakh in J&K, also wanted abrogation of Article 370 for peace and tranquility in the state.

He also urged the finance minister to exempt Ladakh from GST for five years.

Anurag Thakur (BJP) described GST as the biggest achievement after Independence and said Jammu and Kashmir would be benefited a lot from it. "For economic integration, it (GST) is a big step," Thakur stressed.

Kalyan Banerjee (TMC) said the cost of most of the goods and services have increased post the GST and the GST Council has "arbitrary" powers to fix rates even without consulting Parliament.

During Banerjee's speech, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge pointed out that the finance minister was not present in the House, while the treasury benches contested that Minister of State (MoS) for Finance Santosh Gangwar was present.

As the House saw uproar over the issue for a brief time, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs S S Ahluwalia said "cabinet system is a collective responsibility and two cabinet ministers and MoS Finance is sitting here."

The RBI today continued to fault banks for not passing on the entire benefit of its rate cuts, saying it was unsatisfied with the MCLR and considering a new market-linked benchmark to ensure a better transmission.

The central bank said there was more scope for banks to lower lending rates in certain segments.

"The experience with the MCLR system introduced in April 2016 for improving monetary transmission has not been entirely satisfactory," RBI Deputy Governor Viral Acharya told reporters after the apex bank announced its third bi-monthly monetary policy review for 2017-18.

He said the Reserve Bank has constituted an internal study group across several clusters on "various aspects of the MCLR system and to explore whether linking of the bank lending rates could be made direct to market determined benchmarks going forward".

This group will be submitting its report by September 24 this year, he added.

Acharya was quick to add that the incremental benefit from the marginal cost of funds based lending rates (MCLR), introduced in April 2016 as an alternative to the earlier system of base rate, was positive.

It can be noted that even after the introduction of the MCLR and rate cuts that happened, the RBI has been repeatedly complaining about banks not doing enough to pass on the full benefit of its rate actions to the borrowers and help revive the sagging private investment for economic growth.

Governor Urjit Patel today said banks have been selective in their rate cuts in aggressive segments like home and auto loans, but there are many other segments, especially those, where borrowers are still tied to the base rate, where they can do more.

"Given the liquidity conditions prevailing and that we have reduced policy rates by substantial amount since start of easing cycle, I think there is scope for banks to reduce lending rate for those segments. So far, they have not benefited to the full extent of our policy rate cuts."

Acharya said the ongoing resolutions on the NPA front will also help in better transmission as the banks' balance sheet stress is resolved.

He also announced that the Reserve Bank will be coming out with final guidelines on tripartite repo to deepen the corporate bond market, which, by working as an alternative to the bank lending, will also force banks to tinker with the rates quickly.

Apart from these measures, Acharya also announced that the RBI is forming a high level task-force to help develop a "comprehensive near real-time public credit registry," which will evaluate the existing public and private infrastructure for credit information, assess any data gaps, study the best international practices and provide a roadmap.

"The objective is to improve not just the credit assessment by financial lenders, but also of the financial lenders themselves," Acharya added.

Crackdown on benami properties: Govt to make Aadhaar mandatory for real estate deals

After making Aadhaar card mandatory for getting PAN and filing income tax returns, the government may soon be making the UIDAI-based authentication compulsory for real estate deals.

The move, which is seen as an effort to curb the use of black money for transactions in property dealings, will make Aadhaar-based authentication mandatory at the time of registration of documents such as sale, purchase and transfer of property.

According to a report in The Indian Express the government plans to amend Sections 32 and 32A of the Registration Act, 1908. "Every person presenting a document at the property registration office for registration, shall, whether executing or claiming under the same, undergo Aadhaar authentication."

The department of land resources, under the Ministry of Rural Development, has already written to state governments and Union Territories, advising them to notify rules mandating consent-based Aadhaar authentication at the time of registration of documents, the report said.

Last month, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said example needs to be set to create a deterrent against use of anonymous people to hide ill-gotten wealth, amid some politicians and their family members coming under the scanner for alleged benami deals.

The government has taken steps under the stringent Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Amendment Act, 2016 that provides for confiscating properties of those who use name of other people to convert unaccounted wealth into white, Jaitley had said.

"Unless we can set some examples, we set down right deterrent against such kind of practices" can this practice of benami properties end, he added.

Govt to sell 4% in Hindustan Copper at Rs 64.75/share today

The government will sell 3.70 crore equity shares in Hindustan Copper at a floor price of Rs 64.75 apiece through a two-day offer-for-sale (OFS) beginning today, with an option to issue a similar number of shares in case of over subscription.

The sale of 4 per cent stake or over 3.70 crore shares at Rs 64.75 apiece would fetch about Rs 240 crore to the exchequer. In case, the government decides to issue additional up to 3.70 crore shares, the share sale can together fetch up to Rs 480 crore to the exchequer.

The government currently holds 82.88 per cent stake in Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) and the stake sale with green shoe option would help the government meet the minimum public shareholding norm of market regulator Sebi.

The floor price of Rs 64.75 a unit is at a 8.35 per cent discount over today's closing price of Rs 70.65 on the BSE. The two-day OFS would open for institutional investors today and retail investors would get to bid on August 3. Retail investor is defined as the one who place bids for shares not more than Rs 2 lakh.

The government has already raised over Rs 8,428 crore through disinvestment in five companies, and one share buy back. The government has budgeted to raise Rs 72,500 crore through stake sale in PSUs. This includes Rs 46,500 crore from minority stake sale, Rs 15,000 crore from strategic disinvestment and Rs 11,000 crore from listing of insurance companies.

India gets nod from World Bank to construct Kishanganga, Ratle projects under Indus Water Treaty

India is allowed to construct hydroelectric power facilities on tributaries of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers with certain restrictions under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), the World Bank has said.

The World Bank's comments came as officials from India Pakistan concluded the secretary-level talks over the IWT.

Pakistan opposes the construction of the Kishanganga (330 megawatts) and Ratle (850 megawatts) hydroelectric power plants being built by India in Jammu and Kashmir, the global lender said in a fact sheet issued yesterday.

Noting that the two countries disagree over whether the technical design features of the two hydroelectric plants contravene the treaty, the World Bank said the IWT designates these two rivers as well as the Indus as the "Western Rivers" to which Pakistan has unrestricted use.

"Among other uses, India is permitted to construct hydroelectric power facilities on these rivers subject to constraints specified in annexures to the treaty," the Bank said in its fact sheet.

It noted that the talks on the technical issues of the IWT took place this week "in a spirit of goodwill and cooperation".

The parties have agreed to continue discussions and reconvene in September in Washington DC, it said in a separate statement.

In the lengthy fact sheet, the World Bank said Pakistan asked it to facilitate the setting up of a Court of Arbitration to look into its concerns about the designs of the two hydroelectric power projects.

On the other hand, India had asked for the appointment of a neutral expert to look into the issues, contending the concerns Pakistan raised were "technical" ones.

The IWT was signed in 1960 after nine years of negotiations between India and Pakistan with the help of the World Bank, which is also a signatory.

The World Bank's role in relation to "differences" and "disputes" is limited to the designation of people to fulfil certain roles when requested by either or both of the parties, the fact sheet said.

Earlier, in a letter dated July 25, the World Bank had assured Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna its "continued neutrality and impartiality in helping the parties to find and amicable way forward."

The two countries last held talks over the two projects in March this year during the meeting of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) in Pakistan.

Pakistan had approached the World Bank last year, raising concerns over the designs of two hydroelectricity projects located in Jammu and Kashmir.

It had demanded that the World Bank, which is the mediator between the two countries under the 57-year-old water distribution pact, set up a court of arbitration to look into its concerns.

The international lender had in November 2016 initiated two simultaneous processes for appointing neutral expert and establishing of a court of arbitration to look into technical differences between the two countries in connection with the projects.

The simultaneous processes, however, were halted after India objected to it.

After that, representatives of the World Bank held talks with India and Pakistan to find a way out separately.

The talks between the two nations over the treaty come amid tensions between them after a number of terror attacks in India by Pakistan-based terror groups.

General Awareness

Current Affairs were found in Month - July 2017

Appointments

Abhay Krishna has been appointed as head of Indian Army’s crucial Eastern Command.

American Sioftware Major Adobe Systems appointed Shanmugh Natarajan as Chief of India Operations.

Arbind Modi and Bajrang DassVishnoi appointed as members of Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT). CBDT is headed by a chairman (Currently Sushil Chandra) and can have max 6 members.

Axis Bank re-appointed Shikha Sharma as MD & CEO of Axis Bank for another 3 year term starting June 2018 as Her current term is coming to an end in June 2018.

Board of Control for Cricket in India's CAC (Cricket Advisory Committee) named former Indian Cricketer Ravi Shastri as new chief coach of Indian cricket team till ICC World Cup 2019.

Brenda Marjorie Hale has been appointed as first female president of UK's Supreme Court, top Judicial Post in UK.

Britain’s first woman Sikh MP Preet Kaur Gill has been elected to Home Affairs Select Committee in UK Parliament.

Carrie Lam appointed as first female Chief Executive (CE) of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of China.

Debi Prasad Dash has been appointed as Director General of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DG-DRI).

Gopal Prasad Parajuli has been appointed as new Chief Justice of Nepal.

Government appointed Mukesh Kumar Jain as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Oriental Bank of Commerce.

Government named Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti as next Chief Election Commissioner of India, to take charge on July 6. He will succeed Nasim Zaidi.

Indian Origin Person Subra Suresh from IIT Madras has been chosen as President of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.

Japanese auto major Nissan appointed Thomas Kuehl as president of its Indian operations.

John Joseph has been appointed as Director General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DG GSTI), A key intelligence agency tasked with checking evasion of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

K K Venugopal has been appointed as new (15th) Attorney General of India.

Khaltmaa Battulga has been appointed as President of Mongolia.

Lord Mervyn Davies has been appointed as Chairman of UK India Business Council (UKIBC).

M. Venkaiah Naidu Resigned as Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs after his name has been put up for Vice-president elections to be held on Aug 05, 2017. Now, Narendra Singh Tomar (Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj) has been given additional charge of Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry and Smriti Zubin Irani (Minister of Textiles) has been given additional charge of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Mahesh Senanayake has appointed as New Army Chief of Neighbouring Nation Sri Lanka.

Naga People’s Front (NPF)'s TR Zeliang has been sworn in as 19th chief minister of Nagaland.

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominee Ram Nath Kovind has been elected as 14th President of India, getting almost twice votes as his opponent Meira Kumar. He is second Dalit after KR Narayanan to get appointed as President of India and first President from Uttar Pradesh. Sanjay Kothari has been appointed as Secretary to President - elect Ram Nath Kovind.

Nitish Kumar took oath as Chief Minister of Bihar for 6th Time, a day after he had resigned from the same post amid political turmoil.

Pradeep Kumar Rawat is appointed as Indian Ambassador to Indonesia.

RP Sanjiv Goenka is named as Chairman of Board of Governors at IIT-Kharagpur.

Additionally, Kewal Handa has been appointed as non-executive chairman of Union Bank of India.

Ram Nath Kovind has been sworn in as 14th president of India. Sanjay Kothari has been appointed as Secretary to President.

Raninder Singh has been re-elected as president of National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

Raveesh Kumar has been appointed as new spokesperson of ministry of external affairs,replacing Gopal Baglay who has been appointed joint secretary in Prime Minister’s Office.

Saima Wazed Hossain has been appointed as WHO's Goodwill Ambassador for Autism in South-East Asia region.

Sandeep Chakravorty has been appointed as head of Indian consulate in New York (USA). Note that he is also India's Ambassador to Peru.

Sanjay Gupta has been appointed as Chairman of Indian Institute of Management Amritsar.

Sanjay Kumar appointed as Director General (DG) of National Disaster Response Force.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has been appointed as Interim Prime Minister of Pakistan as Nawaz Sharif became 2nd head of a government to step down amidst political fallout of Panama Papers revelations. In April 2016, Iceland Prime Minister Sigmundur Gunnlaugsson had to quit his post in same regard.

Ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) named Shahbaz Sharif as PM but he will first have to be elected to National Assembly.

Panama Papers is a massive leak of 11.5 million documents of a Panamanian law firm - Mossack Fonseca. It revealed how clients of Mossack Fonseca were able to launder money, dodge sanctions and avoid tax.

Somesh Goyal has been appointed as Director General of Police (DGP) of Himachal Pradesh.

Subhash Chandra Garg (Secretary in Department of Economic Affairs) has been appointed as India’s Alternate Governor on Board of Governors of Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Swami Smarananandaji Maharaj has been elected as 16th President of Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission.

Tata Global Beverages appointed Natarajan Chandrasekaran as Its Chairman.

Gethsie Shanmugam (SRI LANKA): For rebuilding lives from the psychosocial wounds of war and violence.

About Magsaysay Award -

Ramon Magsaysay Awards' is an annual award established to perpetuate former Philippine President Ramon Magsaysay's example of integrity in governance, courageous service to the people, and pragmatic idealism within a democratic society

It is a reputed honour and termed as Nobel Prize of Asia.

A group of seven Indian students won 2 awards at first Global Robotics Olympiad in US . Indian Students won gold for Zhang Heng Engineering Design Award and bronze for Global Challenge Match at international robotics challenge organised by FIRST Global in Washington (USA).

BJP leader L.K. Advani received Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions as a parliamentarian in Lok Sabha while JDU leader Sharad Yadav also received Lifetime Achievement Award as a Rajya Sabha representative. Awardess were selected by a jury headed by Shivraj Patil. Additionally, N.K. Premachandran was named Best Parliamentarian in lok sabha and Sitaram Yechury is named Best Parliamentarian in Rajya Sabha.

Climate and energy efficiency solutions company Danfoss India has been conferred with Golden Peacock Award for Environment Management at 19th World Congress on Environment Management in Hyderabad (Telangana).

Former Indian Footballer Subrata Bhattacharya will be honored as Mohun Bagan Ratna for year 2017 by Kolkata Based FC Mohun Bagan.

Former Union Minister Ashwani Kumar has been conferred with Japan’s imperial decoration ‘Order of the Rising Sun’ award for his contribution to fostering Japan-India ties.

Indian Origin Person Guruswamy Jayraman has been awarded Order of Australia for community work, highest civilian award in Australia.

Sportsperson of the Year' - P V Sindhu (Badminton) and her coach P Gopichand received Coach of the Year award.

Living Legend of the Year - Milkha Singh.

Noted Indian composer AR Rahman has been shortlisted for World Soundtrack Awards for his upcoming film - Viceroy’s House (directed by Gurinder Chadha).

Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee awarded IIM Bangalore (IIMB) for making management education accessible to all through Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). IIMB is national coordinator for management education on government’s Swayam platform and has completed five MOOCs on platform so far.

Pune Based Swayam Shikshan Prayog has been awarded United Nations Development Programme’s Equator Prize for devising an ecologically sustainable agriculture model to combat the adverse impacts of drought.

It has helped empower over 20,000 marginal women farmers and their families in Marathwada by helping them make informed decisions about agriculture and environment.

Tata Steel won Prime Minister’s trophy for ‘Best Performing Integrated Steel Plant’ in country for years 2014-2015 and 2015- 16.

It is 3rd consecutive time that Tata Steel has won this award. Overall, company has been recognised as best integrated steel plant for 12 times and has won the PM’s Trophy 10 times.

USA based company with operating headquarters in Hyderabad (Telangana) - Water Health Internationalhas been awarded Unilever Global Development Award at 20th Responsible Business Awards in London.

V.O. Chidambaranar Port won National Award for Excellence in Cost Management for 2016 from The Institute of Cost Accountants of India under Transportation and Logistics.

Books

Amit Bhardwaj launched his third e-book Cryptocurrency for Beginners after Cryptocurrency Trading for Beginners and Cryptocurrency Mining for Beginners.

Book Dalhousie…Through My Eyes, authored by Kiran Chadha has been released.

Book Future of Indian Universities: Comparative and International Perspectives , written by C. Raj Kumar has been released.

Book Mann Ki Baat – A Social Revolution on Radio has been released, including transcripts of first 23 episodes of Prime Minister’s monthly address on radio ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

Book Narendra Damodardas Modi : The Making of a Legend, authored by Sulabh International chief Bindeshwar Pathak has been released.

Book President Pranab Mukherjee – A Statesman has been released.

Book President’s Lady (Pranaber Preyosi), based on President Pranab Mukherjee's wife Late Smt. Suvra Mukherjee has been released. It has been written by Sangeeta Ghosh.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley released book Ganga Avahan, which is a 2,800 km exploratory open-water swim expedition on Ganga river.

Committees

A Committee led by Ved Prakash Mishra submitted its report regarding measures for upgrading healthcare infrastructure at major ports under PPP mode to provide world class health services, along with affordable medical and paramedical education.

Department of Science and Technology constituted a National Steering Committee to initiate a National Programme on “Scientific Validation and Research on Panchgavya” (SVAROP).

GST Council formed a Selection Committee under Chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary (Currently Pradeep Kumar Sinha) to recommend eligible persons for appointment as Chairman and Members of National Anti-profiteering Authority (NAPA) under GST. NAPA ensures that full benefits of a reduction in tax on supply of goods or services flow to consumers.

Karnataka Government constituted a committee to study possibility of designing a separate state flag and providing it a statutory standing.

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology constituted a Committee under Chairmanship of B N Srikrishna (Former SC Judge) to study and identify key data protection issues and recommend methods for addressing them as Protection of Data is expected to provide big boost to Digital economy of the country.

Days

July 1 - Chartered Accountants' Day in India. It marks enacting of Chartered Accountants Act on July 1, 1949.

July 1 - National Doctor’s Day in India. Observed in honour of former noted Physician and West Bengal CM Bidhan Chandra Roy.

July 1, 2017 - International Day of Cooperatives (First Saturday of July). 2017 Theme is Co-operatives ensure no-one is left behind.

July 11 - World Population Day. 2017 theme is Family Planning- Empowering People, Developing Nations.

July 15 - World Youth Skills Day. 2017 Theme is Skills for All.

July 17 - International Justice Day, marks 1998 Rome Statute that created International Criminal Court (ICC).

Punjab government signed MoU with Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), global diagnostic firm to help state diagnose and treat Hepatitis C patients.

India has 70 % of world's tigers with approx 2,226 tigers in India in 2014. There are 50 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger, administered by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). Karnataka has most tigers in India (approx 410), followed by Uttarakhand (approx 350).

July 3 - International Plastic Bag Free Day.

July 30 - United Nations (UN) World Day against Trafficking in Persons. 2017 theme is Act to Protect and Assist Trafficked Persons.

July 6 - World Zoonoses Day. Zoonoses are viral diseases like rabies and influenza, bacterial diseases such as Lyme disease and brucellosis, or parasitic diseases such as tapeworms.

Malala Day. Declared by UN in 2013 on occasion of Malala Yousafzai's Birthday. She is a Pakistani girl engaged in the promotion of women’s education and rights.

Defence

14 day long joint military exercise Maitree 2017 between Indian and Thailand Armies commenced in Himachal Pradesh.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) launched ut Muntra (Mission UNmanned TRAcked) as India’s first unmanned, remotely operated tank at its Chennai lab. It has been launched in 3 variants - Muntra-S, Muntra-M and Muntra-N for surveillance, mine detection and reconnaissance in areas with nuclear and biological threats.

Government has empowered Army to directly procure critical weapons systems and military platforms to maintain combat readiness for short duration intense wars.

It was needed as Army is facing severe shortage in ammunition, mainly for artillery guns, air defence, tanks and certain infantry weapons.

Under new scheme, Vice Chief of Army has been given full financial powers to procure ammunitions.

Indian Army signed MoU with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to raise 5 regiments of advanced Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAM) with 60 Missiles. MRSAM air defence system can shoot down enemy missiles, aircraft at range of over 50 km. It is land-based variant of long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) or Barak-8 naval air defence system.

Indian Navy’s second LCU (landing craft utility) Mark IV L52 ship built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) Kolkata has been launched. These vessels are designed for multipurpose amphibious operations carried out Indian Navy and Army to ensure maritime security of Andamans and Lakshadweep islands.

New Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels Shachi and Shruti launched at Pipavav Shipyard in Gujarat. These are first set of warships that have been manufactured by a private defence sector entity - Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited.

Economy

36th National Bank For Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD) Foundation Day and Silver Jubilee of SHG Bank Linkage Programme held in New Delhi. Self Help Group Bank Linkage Programme (SHG BLP) is a Financial Inclusion initiative of NABARD.

According to 2nd National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) State Investment Potential Index (N-SIPI 2017) report -

Gujarat retained top position in list of 21 states and UTs with most investment potential, followed by Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.

According to Asian Development Bank, India will achieve GDP growth rate of 7.4 % in 2017-18 and 7.6 % in 2018-19.

According to BMI Research, India is expected to register a growth of 6.9% in financial year 2017-18. While RBI predicted 7.3 % GDP Growth Rate for current fiscal year (2017-18).

BMI Research was founded in 1984 by Business Monitor International and was acquired by Fitch Group later in 2014.

Aiming to eliminate all subsidies by March 2018, Government ordered oil companies to raise subsidised cooking gas, LPG prices by 4 rupees per cylinder every month.

Freecharge was founded in 2010 and was sold to Snapdeal in 2015 for USD 400 Million.

Axis Bank has entered into a collaboration with Inter-American Investment Corporation (IIC) to facilitate trade with Latin America and Caribbean. Axis Bank became first Indian bank to participate in the Trade Finance Facilitation Programme as a confirming bank.

Axis Bank introduced a special loan product, offering to fund up to 95 % of Bikes with engine displacement of over 500 cubic centimetres (cc).

Bank of Baroda signed agreement with Directorate General of Supplies & Disposal (DGS&D) for extending various banking services to Government e-Marketplace (GeM). e-GeM is an initiative intended to bring transparency and efficiency in public procurements.

Issue other directions for resolution, appoint or approve authorities or committees to advise banking companies for stressed asset resolution. Recovery proceedings will be carried out under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code 2016.

Canara Bank launched its first ‘Digital Banking Branch’ named ‘CANDI’ in Bengaluru, to provide end-to-end digital experience to customers.

Chhattisgarh government will merge all district cooperative central banks (DCCBs) of state into a single State Cooperative Bank, to serve farmers with better and efficient banking facilities.

Consumer Affairs Ministry amended Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules 2011 (PCR), To benefit consumers and protect them from paying different prices at different locations. Rules will be known as Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Amendment Rules 2017.

In accordance with new rules to come into effect from 1 January 2018, price of packed goods would no longer depend on where the product is purchased - A mall / five-star hotel / airport or a local Kirana store.

Retail sale price of any packed product will be Maximum Retail Price (MRP) inclusive of all taxes, with provision to round off price to nearest rupee or 50 paise.

New legal provision will make sure that no person is able to declare different MRPs on an identical pre-packed commodity, curbing possibility of any vendor charging differential prices for same product.

e-commerce marketplaces will ensure that declarations (except month and year of manufacturing) shall be displayed on digital and electronic network used for e-commerce transactions. It include companies like Grofers and BigBasket, who stock the inventory. Other e-Commerce entities like Amazon and Flipkart who do not own an inventory, responsibility of correctness of declarations will be of manufacturer / seller / dealer / importer.

Credit rating agency ICRA launched a new system for rating of infrastructure projects in association with India Infrastructure Finance Company Ltd (IIFCL), to focus on overall recovery of dues by investor and lender over lifecycle of project.

Digital payments company MobiKwik partnered with Samsung Pay, under which consumers will be able to make payments with a single tap using select Samsung handsets.

It will enable users to use UPI payment platform on SMS, dialler interface, and on third party apps like WhatsApp. It means P2P transactions, as well as utility payments, can be made via SMS or messaging.

This is the first time that EPFO has joined hands with private banks for this purpose. It will save INR 300 crores annually for EPFO as these five banks have agreed up on zero transaction charges.

FINO Payments Bank commenced operations as a payments bank.

FINO Payments Bank is 4th entity to start functioning as a Payments Bank in India, after Airtel, India Post and Paytm.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley released National Trade Facilitation Action Plan that gives a time bound map for implementing WTO-Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) and also includes India’s initiatives for trade facilitation and ease of doing business which goes beyond TFA.

GMR Goa International Airports Ltd signed a INR 1330 Crore Loan Agreement with Axis Bank, for development of Greenfield airport at Mopa.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Came into Effect, bringing in One Nation, One Indirect Tax.

GST simplifed Indirect Taxes by abolishing set of Different Indirect Taxes at State and Central Level. Tax Slabs are - 0 %, 5%, 12 %, 18% AND 28%.

We Created a Summary file for All recent events and Updates related to GST. It can be accessed Here.

Government approved revision of guidelines of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) Scheme, which is aimed at converting part of 300 tons of physical bars and coins purchased every year for Investment into ‘demat’ gold bonds. Mobilisation target was 15,000 crore in 2015-16 and at Rs.10,000 crore in 2016-17. But, amount credited so far in scheme's account is approx 4700 crores, triggering need for changes in guidelines.

Specific changes in attributes of scheme to make it more attractive, mobilise more and reduce economic strains caused by imports of gold and reduce Current Account Deficit (CAD).

Flexibility to design and introduce variants of SGBs has been given to Ministry of Finance.

Investment limit per fiscal year has been increased to 4 kg for individuals, 4 Kg for Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) and 20 Kg for Trusts and similar entities.

Government is 51% owner of HPCL and 68% owner of ONGC. HPCL's addition will make ONGC third-largest refiner in country after IOC and Reliance Industries.

Government exempted import of aircraft, aircraft engines and its parts via leasing route from the purview of Goods and Services Tax (GST), providing relief to aviation industry as it was facing dual levy of 5 % at import and another 5 % at the time of payment of lease rent.

Government has set up Directorate General of Analytics and Risk Management (DGARM) as a new wing to provide intelligence inputs taking action against tax evaders. It has been has been set up will be under the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC). DGARM was set up on 1 July 2017, coinciding with rollout of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

In 2017-18, beneficiary base rose from 10.71 crore in 2013-14 to 35.62 crore. Total of 485 schemes have been identified for DBT.

Home Ministry will examine Structure and Operations of Goods and Service Tax Network (GSTN) before giving it security clearance.

GSTN is IT backbone of Goods and Service Tax (GST). It is a not for profit and private limited company incorporated in 2013.

Government holds 24.5% equity in GSTN. It has been set up primarily to provide IT infrastructure and services to the Central and State Governments, tax payers and other stakeholders for implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST).

ICICI Bank will be selling personal loans of up to Rs 15 lakh through its ATMs. Using data from credit information companies, ICICI Bank will pre-qualify select customers for personal loans. Such customers will get a message on ATM screen after completing a transaction, informing about their eligibility for personal loans. Such customers can avail 5 year personal loan of upto Rs 15 lakh and amount will be credited instantly to their account.

India signed $220 million loan agreement with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for improving connectivity as well as transport efficiency and safety on State Highways of Rajasthan.

India's YES Bank received $150 million funding from USA government and Wells Fargo to increase lending to support women entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in India.

India's Yes Bank signed MoU with British Bank Santander to promote India-UK trade and business opportunities.

Indian Overseas Bank started offered Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) services introduced by National Payments Corporation of India. BBPS is an integrated bill payment system that offers inter-operable online bill payments to customers. IOB is among 4 government banks (apart from Bank of Baroda and Union Bank of India) to get approval from RBI for providing BBPS services.

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) recebntly received final nod from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to function as Bharat Bill Payment Central Unit and operate Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS).

BBPS pilot project started on 31 August, 2016 with 8 BBPS operating units, which now stands at 24 certified units.

Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani along with venture capitalist Sanjeev Aggarwal has launched a $100 million venture fund called Fundamentum to back mid-stage startups that solve unique Indian problems in consumer technology space.

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) notified rules for inspection and investigation of service providers registered with it (professional agencies, entities, professionals and information utilities). Now, investigation authority has to serve a notice intimating entity concerned about probe at least 10 days in advance.

India - GDP growth rate will be 7.2% for 2017-18 (up from 7.1% in 2016-17). India’s growth would accelerate to 7.7% in 2018-19. India’s economy will still be the fastest growing among large economies. Worls bank also predicted 7.2 % GDP Growth rate for India in current Year and also stated that India will remain World's 4th Fastest Growing Economy.

Global economic growth rate will be 3.5% in 2017 and 3.6% in 2018.

China’s - projected to grow by 6.7% in 2017 and 6.4% in 2018.

Janalakshmi Financial Services (largest microfinance company) appointed Ajay Kanwal as its New CEO. JFS has been gearing up for launch of their Small finance bank.

Karnataka Bank in association with PNB MetLife launched Met Loan and Life Suraksha (MLLS) as a single premium plan covering loan liability of a customer.

Karnataka Bank launched KBL-Image Debit Card, that will enable its cardholders to personalise their Debit card with an image of his/her choice.

Kolkata based Srei Infrastructure Finance signed MoU with Russia’s Vnesheconombank to create a $200 million IT and Innovation Fund.

Ministry of Power announced that approx 97% of outstanding debt of all state power distribution companies (approx 3.95 lakh crores) has been covered under the Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY).

As of now, 26 states and 1 UT which have joined UDAY scheme, accounting for total outstanding debt of Rs. 3.82 lakh crores.

National Multi Commodity Exchange (NMCE) will merge with Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) to form India's third biggest commodity exchange.

This is first merger in commodity exchange space in India. In merged entity, ICEX will hold 62.8% stake and NMCE will own the rest.

New exchange will offer a wide range of contracts and will also offer world’s first diamond futures contract, which has already received approval from SEBI.

Private life insurance company Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance signed bancassurance agreement with Kerala-based Dhanlaxmi Bank, for marketing its various life insurance products to Bank's customers.

As name depicts, Canara HSBC Oriental Bank of Commerce Life Insurance is Joint venture of Canara Bank, HSBC and Oriental Bank of Commerce.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Bajaj Allianz General Insurance have signed an agreement for the distribution of insurance products through the branches (Bancassurance).

Punjab National Bank (PNB) will block all Maestro debit cards from 31st of July 2017 if card holders do not replace it with a more secure EMV chip based card by end of July.

It aims at Limiting Liability of Customers in unauthorised Electronic Banking Transactions.

In cases of negligence caused by the customer by sharing of payment credentials, the customer is liable to bear the entire loss.

Customers will be entitled to zero liability when authorised transaction occurs due to contributory fraud/negligence/deficiency on part of bank irrespective of whether or not unauthorised transaction has been reported by customer.

If Fault is at Third Party End -

If customer reports to bank within 3 days - All amount involved will be credited to their accounts within 10 days by bank.

If customer reports to bank within 3 - 7 days - All Amount or INR 25000 (whicheever is less) within 10 days by bank.

If customer reports to bank after 7 days - as per bank's policy.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for the first time crossed Rs 5 lakh crore in market capitalisation. RIL is second firm to cross Rs 5 lakh crore in market capitalisation and is also currently most valued company in India. Tata Consultancy Service (TCS) was first company to hit Rs 5 lakh crore in market capitalisation milestone in July 2014.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to sell and market new pension scheme (NPS). Profit Making NBFCs with asset size of Min 500 crores are now permitted to sell NPS after registration with pension regulator.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has set up Supervisory Colleges for 6 Scheduled Commercial Banks which have sizeable international presence - State Bank of India, ICICI Bank., Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank and Punjab National Bank.

Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) started merchant banking operations to benefit expanding number of growth-oriented micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially those with a strong technology and innovation quotient.

South Indian Bank tied up with Peregrine Financial Group (PFG) Forex for remittance facility for Indian expatriates from Australia. Under this, NRIs can enjoy fast remittance services using SIB’s Express facility.

State Bank of India (SBI) and Carlyle Group acquired 26 % stake of American Financial major GE Capital in SBI Card. SBI Card is operated through two joint-ventures - SBI Cards & Payment Services (SBICPSL) and GE Capital Business Process Management Services (GECBPMSL).

State Bank of India (SBI) launched SBI Realty as a dedicated portal to help home buyers to choose flats from its 3,000 approved projects across country (over 9.5 Lakh Home Units).

State Bank of India Online Funds Transfer Fee Rates Reduced -

IMPS -

INR 0 for fund transfer up to INR 1,000.

For More Funds, charge will be Rs 5 for fund transfer in range 1,000 to 1 lakh and Rs 15 for transactions of Rs 1-2 lakh.

NEFT / RTGS -

75 % Reduction in Fees attached with all NEFT / RTGS Fund Transfers.

GST of 18 per cent on Processing fee is applicable on all financial transactions.

Tata Industries' preclinical contract research company Advinus Therapeutics has been acquired by laboratory testing major Eurofins Scientific.

YES Bank launched YES GST program for MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) to help them get familiar with GST taxation system.

International

During this session, 21 new sites have been included into UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The 5.5 km walled city area in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) has been declared India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO. Historic Centre of Vienna (Vienna) is also included in List.

Apart from this, UNESCO World Heritage Committee has amended list of world heritage sites in danger -

West Bank city of Hebron has been included in list, triggereing a new Israeli-Palestinian spat at international level.

21st India-Myanmar National Level Meeting held in Myanmar, attended by Indian Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba.

4 Arab nations boycotting Qatar (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt) have announced willingness to initiate a dialogue with Qatar if it agrees to some of their demands including showing genuine willingness to stop funding terrorism.

In a major recognition of India’s efforts to benchmark global spices trade, the

World’s Top 15 Cities list by Noted magazine Travel + Leisure (T+L). India's Udaipur (Rajasthan) has been featured in the list. Top 5 are -

1

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

2

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

3

Chiang Mai, Thailand

4

Kyoto, Japan

5

Florence, Italy

A global treaty that bans nuclear weapons was adopted at United Nations by 122 Nations, with Netherlands voting in against.

None of 9 countries that possess nuclear weapons - USA, Russia, Britain, China, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel took part in negotiations or vote. Nuclear states argue Nuke Weapons serve as a deterrent against a nuclear attack and say they remain committed to nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Treaty will be open for signature to Nations at UN Headquarters in New York (USA) on September 19, 2017. It will enter into force 90 days after 50th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession has been deposited.

Current Nuclear Stockpile of nations is approx -

Russia - 7000

USA - 6800

France - 300

China - 270

UK - 215

Pakistan - 130

India - 120

Israel - 80

North Korea - 2 to 3

According to Country Report on Terrorism released by US State Department -

According to OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026,

India will be world’s largest milk producer by 2026, with 49 % Increase from current Milk output.

World’s population will increase from 7.3 to 8.2 billion, with India’s population growing to 1.5 from 1.3 billion. India will overtake China as most populous country by 2026.

Global production of wheat will increase by 11% with registering largest Increase in Production - 15 million metric tonnes.

According to OECD-FAO's Agricultural Outlook 2017-2026 report, India is world’s third-biggest exporter of beef (Cattle Meat) after Brazil and Australia.

According to the Zurich-based SNB, money parked by Indians in Swiss banks has nearly halved to 676 Swiss francs (approx INR 4,500 crores) in 2016. Data release comes ahead of a new framework for the automatic exchange of information between Switzerland and India to check menace of black money.

African Nation Zimbabwe's Parliament amended the constitution to give President sweeping powers to appoint country's top judges without consulting any other institution.

An Accreditation Master Agreement (AMA) signed between Green Climate Fund (GCF) and National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in Delhi, making NABARD second entity from India (after SIDBI) to be accredited as Direct Access Entity (DAE) that will be able to access GCF resources to help safeguard livelihoods of millions of people against climate change impact.

Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a fund established under UNFCCC to assist developing countries in countering climate change. GCF is based in the new Incheon (South Korea) with Howard Bamsey as current Chief.

GCF acts as a centrepiece of efforts to raise Climate Finance under UNFCCC, and raise $100 billion a year by 2020.

So far, one project from India on “Installation of Ground Water Recharge System” in Odisha has recently been approved by the GCF for $34 million India has nominated 5 direct access entities for accreditation by GCF - NABARD, SIDBI, YES Bank, IDFC Bank and IL&FS Environmental Services.

An Indian Army team with T-90 tanks participated in Tank Biathlon 2017 in Russia.

As per Global Infrastructure Outlook by Global Infrastructure Hub (GIH), India will need investments around USD 4.5 trillion till 2040 to develop infrastructure for better economy and community wellbeing and will need additional USD 888 billion by 2030 to provide universal household access to electricity and water.

As per Latest Data by Zurich based SNB (Swiss National Bank) -

India is now ranked 88th place in terms of money parked by its citizens with Swiss banks. Indians' Money in Switzerland's banks is now only 0.04% of total funds kept by all foreign clients in Swiss banking system.

As per UK’s Department for International Trade, India is now 4th largest foreign investor into UK in 2016-17.

Top 4 foreign investor into UK in 2016-17 - US (577 new projects), China (160 new projects), France (131 new projects), India (127 new Projects).

Australia and New Zeland share the 4th spot with India.

As per research by Centre for International Development at Harvard University (CID) -

Economic pole of global growth has moved from China to India and it is likely to remain over India in coming decade. India’s exports base now includes more complex sectors such as chemicals, vehicles and certain electronics and India is also well-positioned to continue diversifying into new areas. Study also found decline in China’s exports and Its economic complexity.

Australia became 35th country to join International Solar Alliance (ISA) initiative jointly launched by India and France. ISA aims to support developing countries to boost their solar production capacity.

India through Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) is contributing $1 million to ISA fund. ISA aims to mobilize over $ 1000 billion by 2030 towards promoting solar power on all fronts.

Australia sent its first uranium shipment to India for testing purposesahead of possible commercial sales. India and Australia signed an agreement for civil nuclear cooperation in 2014 to meet India’s growing energy needs.

Bilateral Agreement on Trade, Commerce and Transit between India and Bhutan came into force, aiming to strengthen bilateral trade relations between both countries.

British government launched Grand Trunk Road project to mark 70th anniversary of India’s Partition in August 1947, aimed at bringing British Asians of all faiths and backgrounds together.

Cabinet Approvals -

MoU with Palestine on cooperation in youth affairs and sports.

Joint Declaration with Germany on Indo German-Centre for Sustainability.

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved upgradation of 65 kms of Imphal-Moreh Section of NH-39 in Manipur, a vital link in providing road connectivity up to Thailand and Malaysia.

This project is being developed with Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) loan assistance under South Asian Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Connectivity Investment Program. It aims at upgradation of road infrastructure in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and India (BBIN) to improve regional connectivity.

China has set up its first overseas military base in Djibouti in Horn of Africa, as part of China’s rapid global military expansion.

China successfully produced natural gas from methane hydrate (also known as flammable ice) in South China Sea (SCS). A drilling platform produced a total of 309,000 cubic metres of natural gas from gas hydrate in 60 days.

French Government approved controversial legislation to further strengthen France’s anti-terror laws in country.

German Autombile Maker BMW opened its new R&D centre in China, which is also its largest outside Germany.

Germany passed Network Enforcement Act law, under which social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube could face a hefty fine of 50 million if they fail to remove hate speech within 24 hours.

Government approved Joint Interpretative Notes (JIN) on Agreement between India and Bangladesh for Promotion and Protection of Investments. JIN approval will impart clarity to interpretation of existing agreements between India and Bangladesh for Promotion and Protection of Investments (BIPA).

Government approved Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in respect of tax matters between India and BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa).

India - China Current Military Standoff in Sikkim at Doko-La (called Donglong by Chinese) -

Doko-La region lies at tri-junction of India, China and Bhutan. Tensions esclated when China started Building a strategic road in this region which is claimed by Bhutan as its territory. Both countries have deployed around 3,000 troops each in region.

This area has huge strategic significance for both India and China as it is in close proximity of sensitive Chicken’s Neck (Siliguri Corridor), the extremely narrow stretch of land that connects north-eastern region to the rest of India.

Western Sector - India shares about 2152 km long border with China, between Jammu and Kashmir and Xinjiang Province of China. In this sector, there is territorial dispute over Aksai Chin region that was resaon for Sino-Indian war in 1962.

During British Empire, 2 borders between India and China were proposed - Johnson’s Line and McDonald Line. Johnson’s line (proposed in 1865) shows Aksai Chin under India’s control whereas McDonald Line (proposed in 1893) places it under China’s control.

Middle sector - It is approx 625 km long boundary with states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It does carry kuch disputes.

Eastern Sector - It is 1,140 km long boundary that runs from eastern limit of Bhutan to a point near the Talu Pass at the trijunction of Tibet, India and Myanmar, called McMahon Line. China considers McMahon Line illegal and claims India's Arunachal Pradesh as its territory.

India and Bangladesh signed pact to connect both countries by waterways, for better movement of passengers and goods.

India and Bangladesh will construct a bridge over Mizoram's Khawthlangtuipui river (also known as Karnaphuli river) to improve trade and communication.

India and European Union (EU) have established Investment Facilitation Mechanism (IFM) for EU Investments in India. It will help in identifying and solving problems faced by EU companies and investors with regard to their operations in India.

India and Pakistan will hold talks on 2 hydrpower projects - Kishenganga and Ratle, under 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) at World Bank headquarters in Washington (USA). Water Resources Secretary Amarjit Singh will lead Indian delegation during talks.

India and Sri Lanka signed MoU to develop a village in Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka at cost of 30 crore Sri Lankan rupees. Village is in name of famous Buddhist monk Sobitha Thero.

India also recently launched a solar project to electrify a remote village in Egypt named Agaween.

India contributed USD 500,000 to the UN Peacebuilding Fund, expressing hope that more funding by nations will boost efforts by world body to build and sustain peace.

India contributed additional $1 million to India-UN Development Partnership Fund launched to support sustainable development projects across the developing world.

Earlier, India contributed $1 million when the fund was createdin on 9 June 2017 (on World Oceans Day 2017) as a partnership between India and United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).

India for first time will import crude oil from USA, as agreed upon during recent visit of PM Narendra Modi to USA.

Indian Oil Corp bought 1.6 million barrels of US Mars crude (a heavy, high-sulphur grade) and 400,000 barrels of Western Canadian Select that will be delivered onboard a Very Large Crude Carrier.

India granted aid of USD 500000 to Philippines for rehabilitation and relief efforts in war-torn Marawi City and confronting ISIS. It is first time that India is sending financial aid to another country affected by terrorism.

India will soon join Global Foreign Exchange Committee (GFXC), a newly-constituted forum of central bankers and experts working towards promotion of a robust and transparent foreign exchange (Forex) market. It has been set up under guidance of the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). GFXC was established in London during a meeting in May 2017.

India's first high-speed rail training center will be functional in Gandhinagar (Gujarat) by 2020. It is Being constructed over land measuring 4,400 metres at cost of approx INR 600 crores. It will enable testing of bullet trains that will run on Mumbai-Ahmedabad route by 2023.

India-Japan civil nuclear deal came into force, enabling Japan to export nuclear power plant technology as well as provide finance for nuclear power plants in India. It will also assist India in Other nuclear energy activities.

Indonesia banned Islamic organization Hizb-ut Tahrir under a contraversial presidential decree, to safeguard existence of Its pluralist state ideology Pancasila and 1945 Constitution.

Hizb ut-Tahrir has been banned as it compaigns for country to adopt Islamic law and become a caliphate0, that is against Indonesia’s unity.

Indonesia named waters in its exclusive economic zone that overlap with China’s expansive claim to South China Sea as North Natuna Sea. Part of the renamed area falls in China’s nine-dash line waters extending to south and east of China’s island province Hainan.

International body Financial Stability Board (FSB) has placed India in league of countries that are compliant or largely compliant on implementation of priority area reforms, in FSB reform report card to G20.

International food standards-setting body Codex Alimentarius Commission adopted three Codex standards for black, white and green pepper, cumin and thyme, paving way for universal agreement on identifying quality spices in various countries.

The member-countries CAC met in Geneva for its 40th session. Codex standards for spices were adopted after India's efforts for the same. Spices have now been included for the first time as commodities with such universal standards.

Iran and Iraq signed MoU to step up military cooperation and the fight against terrorism and extremism. It is valuable as Iraq has been badly affected by terrorism over past few years and Iran has been under international scanner due to is Nuclear weapons program.

Italy passed a bill making torture a crime under national law, making torture punishable by 4 - 10 years in prison and 12 years for members of security forces.

Lulu Exchange (a foreign exchange and remittance company set up Kerala based Businessman Yusuff Ali) has acquired Al Falah Exchange Company in UAE for INR 95 crores.

MOUs Signed -

With Palestine on cooperation in field of Health and Medicine, Information Technology and Electronics.

With Germany on cooperation in field of Health.

With Bangladesh for cyber security cooperation.

NASA launched Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket that created colourful artificial clouds visible in skies. Rocket during 8-minute flight had released 10 canisters about the size of a soft drink into space. Canisters deployed blue-green and red vapour that formed artificial clouds visible in the skies of USA.

NASA's Langley Research Centre (LRC) completed 100 years of its establishment. It has so far contributed exceptionally in the way astronauts fly, explore space and how they study Earth.

NATO military exercise in Eastern Europe held in Bulgaria with 25,000 military personnel from over 20 partner countries.

Neil Armstrong's bag containing approx 500 gm moon dust has been sold at an auction for USD 1.8 million in New york (USA), to an anonymous buyer.

Nepal SBI Bank, a subsidiary of State Bank of India launched its fully automatic digital banking services in Nepalese capital Kathmandu, called sbiINTOUCH. This is first time that State Bank of India has expanded paperless banking system outside India.

North Korea successfully test-fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Hwasong-14 into Sea of Japan. It is North Korea’s most successful missile test since its ballistic missile programme gathered pace in 1990s.

To qualify as an ICBM, a missile must have a minimum range of 5,500km.

One of biggest icebergs ever recorded has broken away from Larsen C Ice Shelf of Antarctica that covers area of roughly 6000 square kilometres.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Government at a Glance 2017 report -

India topped The List, indicating that PM Narendra Modi led NDA coalition Government has gained highest trust in world among its people, with score of 73%.

This Report measures commitment of nations to cyber security.

India has been ranked well at 23rd position out of 165 nations.

Equatorial Guinea is the worst performer among all nations with a score of zero.

Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed MoU with European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) for exchange of information concerning Central Counterparties (CCPs) under European Markets Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR).

South American Nation Bolivia’s President Eva Morales declared that his nation has achieved total independence from IMF and World Bank.

Sri Lanka signed a US $1.1 billion deal to sell a 70% stake of Hambantota port (A deep-water port in the southern tip of Sri Lanka) to China's China Merchants Port Holding Co. (CMPort) Under a 99-year lease agreement. CMPort will be only responsible for commercial operations, while SLPA will handle port’s operations, security and services.

Standard Chartered Bank launched a Multi-currency Forex Card for overseas travelers. The card will allow customers to load up to 20 widely used currencies on 1 card with an online reload facility during overseas travel.

USA and Australia jointly test-fired a hypersonic missile capable of moving at a speed 8 times faster than sound as part of a $54-million research project - Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation Program (HIFiRE).

USA imposed new economic sanctions against Iran over its ballistic missile programme and for contributing to regional tensions. NOW, USA targeted 16 entities and individuals from Iran citing them as illicit Iranian actors or transnational criminal activity.

India became 11th country whose citizens are now eligible to enroll in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative.

Under this, International GEP member traveller can enter in US through automatic kiosks, rather than queueing up to clear immigration check by meeting an immigration officer at selected airports.

USA successfully tested Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system in Alaska by launching a ballistic missile over Pacific Ocean, after North Korea conducted an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) test that could possibly hit USA.

USA urged other members of Nuclear Suppiers Group to support India’s membership bid to NSG that controls international nuclear trade.

United Nations selected Dubai (UAE) as data hub for Middle East North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region, due to city’s integrated initiatives to mine and manage its data.

United States House of Representatives passed an amendment to National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), 2018, a $621.5 billion defence expenditure bill to advance defence cooperation with India.

Part of the oil block 128 is in U-shaped ‘nine-dash line,’ which is claimed by China. This area is also route for over $5 trillion in trade every year and is also claimed by Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan.

Women Entrepreneur (WE) Cities Index 2017 study released by Dell -

India's Bengaluru ranked 40th out of 50 cities and Delhi ranked 49th.

Top 5 - New York (USA), Bay Area (US), London (UK), Boston (US) and Stockholm (Sweden).

World Bank stated that India is emerging as a frontrunner in fight against climate change, replacing coal energy with solar power as a source of energy. World Bank observed that India has made sweeping commitment to solar power and energy efficient innovative solutions to provide round the clock electricity to its people by 2030.

World Health Organization (WHO) declared end of most recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in African Nation Congo.

World Health Organization (WHO) relased Global Tobacco Epidemic Report 2017, stating that 63% of world’s population are covered by at least one comprehensive tobacco control measure.

World’s first Saola breeding centre is being built in Vietnam. ’s central region for . Saola, a critically endangered hoofed mammal is identified by two parallel horns with sharp ends, which can reach 51 centimetres in length and are found on both males and females.

World’s first floating windfarm has been put on trial in Scotland, to unlock ocean's potential for generating renewable power. The project is called Hywind, costing approx £200m. It will bring power to 20,000 homes.

World’s oldest emergency helpline number 999 completed 80 years of its services in United Kingdom.

World’s oldest emoji discovered on 3700-year-old pot in Turkey by archaelogists working on a site in Southern Turkey. The site depicts era of Hittities, an ancient civilisation that existed in north-central Anatolian region.

Writer Preeti Shenoy has been honoured with Indian of the Year Award by Brands Academy, a reputed branding company in India.

Meetings

17th South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Artists Camp and Exhibition of Paintings held at Kathmandu (Nepal).

RCEP is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and six states with which ASEAN has existing free trade agreements (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand).

2017 BRICS Youth Forum opened in Beijing (China) to discuss the development of youth in BRICS countries with theme Enhance BRICS Partnership, Promote Youth Development.

22nd World Petroleum Congress held in Istanbul (Turkey), attended by Dharmendra Pradhan (Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas) on India's Behalf.

4th National Summit on Good, Replicable Practices and Innovations in Public Health Care Systems held at Indore (Madhya Pradesh).

8th meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Ministers of Law and Order (Interior/Home Affairs) held in Colombo (Sri Lanka).

BRICS countries’ Heads of Revenue Meeting held in Hangzhou (China), with Hasmukh Adhia (Revenue Secretary) attending on India's behalf. A An Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) in respect of tax matters signed by BRICS nations on this occasion.

Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) conducted 2nd edition of United Nations Peacekeeping Course for African Partners (UNPCAP-02) in New Delhi.

India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) and International IDEA conducted 2 day International Consultative Workshop on Leveraging Electoral Training Facilities for Global Democracies in New Delhi.

India will host Global Conference on Cyber Space (GCCS) 2017, world’s largest conference on cyber space and related issues in New Delhi in November 2017. GCCS will take place outside Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations for the first time. Theme for 5th GCCS 2017 is Cyber4All: An Inclusive, Sustainable, Developmental, Safe and Secure Cyberspace.

Indian Chamber of Commerce and West Bengal government will host Horasis Asia Meeting (a global business meet) in Kolkata in November 2017.

Meeting of BRICS Education Ministers Held in China's Beijing (attended by HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar) and 2nd Meeting of BRICS Culture Ministers held in Tianjin (China).

PM Narendra Modi Visited Germany, after 3-day visit to Israel.

In Germany, he attended 12th G20 Summit held in Hamburg (Germany) with theme Shaping an Inter-connected World. 5 BRICS nations also had an informal meeting on sidelines of G20 Summit in Hamburg (Germany). Note that 9th BRICS Summit will be held in September 2017 in Xiamen (China).

Tax authorities of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Nations met in China and signed BRICS Taxation Cooperation Memorandum to establish a mechanism for taxation cooperation. It is BRICS’s first document that elevates taxation cooperation to institutional level.

National

New ATC tower at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will be tallest structure in Delhi and Highest ATC Tower in India, with Height of 101.9 metres.

10th Slum Yuva Daud flagged off at Khichripur in New Delhi as part of Adopt a Slum campaign of the Sports Ministry and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.

4th North East Connectivity Summit will be held in Nagaland in September 2017 and 5th North East Connectivity Summit 2018 will be held in Arunachal Pradesh.

5 States (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh) and a UT (Puducherry) formally adopted Centre’s Government e-Marketplace (GeM) initiative, an Online Market platform to facilitate procurement of goods and services by various Ministries and agencies of Government. It aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and speed in public procurement of goods and services and eliminate corruption.

9th edition of Delhi Dialogue held With Theme India-ASEAN relations: Charting the Course for the Next 25 Years. Under this, annual track 1.5 event to discuss multi dimensional engagement between India and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Delhi.

A Delhi-based start-up has launched a BillionAbles app that aims to assist people with disabilities to find accessible restaurants, tourist locations and other public places across India.

According to NITI Aayog, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Gujarat are the three best-performing states in ease of doing business.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) signed an MoU with Government of Uttarakhand , to accelerate development of civil aviation infrastructure in Uttarakhand and assess seveal issues confronting the same.

American tech firm Oracle opened its first ‘Digital Hub’ in Asia Pacific region in Bengaluru (Karnataka).

Arunachal Pradesh civil secretariat became first secretariat in country to be fully covered under Wi-Fi Local Area Network (LAN) coverage.

As per Government data, India’s food grain production increased by 8.7% to a record high 273.38 million tonne during 2016-17, better than previous best of 265.04 million in 2013-14.

As per global research firm Ipsos, Patanjali and Reliance Jio have been rated among top 10 most influential brands in India. Top 5 are -

Rank

Brand

1

Google

2

Microsoft

3

Facebook

4

Patanjali

5

State Bank of India

Assam government will raise a new Special Rhino Protection Force (SRPF) for better protection of one-horned rhinos in Assam. Local youths hailing from the fringe areas of the Kaziranga national park will be considered for recruitment into proposed force.

Bicentenary (200th anniversary) celebration of Paika Rebellion of Odisha (1817) organised by Ministry of Culture in New Delhi.

Paika Rebellion of 1817 is an armed rebellion against British colonialism, in response to tinkering of revenue system by British in 1803. At that juncture, Bakshi Jagabandhu Bidyadhar, military chief of King of Khurda, led the army of Paikas and forced the British to retreat.

Bihar state Government and MoU Central Civil Aviation Ministry signed MOU for promoting regional air connectivity in Bihar.

Border Security Force (BSF) signed MoU with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) for skill development of its personnel and people living in Border Areas.

Cabinet Approvals -

Cadre Review of Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), for an increase of 23 posts at various levels.

MoU with Netherlands for cooperation in space technology.

IRDAI's admission as a signatory to International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMoU). IAIS is a global framework for cooperation and information exchange between insurance supervisors.

Revision of Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) guidelines. ICWF was set up in 2009 and is aimed at assisting Overseas Indian nationals in times of distress and emergency in most deserving cases on means tested basis.

Central Railways Matunga Railway Station in Mumbai Became India's First Station to have an all-female work staff.

Chhattisgarh topped list in issuance of soil health cards among all states with over 43 lakh soil health cards (SHCs) to farmers in past 2 years and 7.90 lakh samples of soil were collected and examined during this period.

Civil Aviation Ministry appprved anti -hijacking law, replacing a 1982 - vintage law. New law covers offences against an aircraft or personnel even when it is on ground. Defaulters of hijacking would now be punishable with Death penalty where such act results in death of any person. In other cases of hijacking, guilty will be punished with life imprisonment.

Count of tigers in Uttarakhand came up to 242 in uttarakhand in 2017, second only to Karnataka that has over tigers.

Delhi Developement Authority (DDA) signed MoU with National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) for preparation of Master plan for Delhi (MPD) 2041.

Delhi Government announced Free Surgery Scheme for its residents, which will enable them to get Free surgery in private hospitals at government’s cost if government hospitals fail to operate within a month.

Delhi Metro became world’s first completely ‘green’ Metro system after secured platinum rating for adherence to green building norms for its 10 residential colonies from Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Delhi became 3nd state to launch e-RTI portal that will enable citizens to file online Right to Information (RTI), after Maharashtra.

Delhi government constituted state Names Authority as a seperate body mandated to name government roads and institutions under state purview. It will be headed by deputy CM Manish Sisodia.

Delhi police will be the first state police in India to get super cop belt, a specially designed belt widely used by Police in various Foreign Lands. It will help cops to keep things like Gun, Mobile Pouch, Security Batten, Wireless Set Pouch & ammunition pouch.

Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (Ministry of Commerce & Industry) signed agreement with Punjab State Council of Science and Technology to establish India’s first Technology and Innovation Support Center (TISC) at Patent Information Centre (Punjab), under World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) TISC program.

ESIC and Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) signed MOU for collaboration in occupational health and prevention of occupational injuries and diseases.

Erode (Tamilnadu) based Five P Venture India and Central Silk Board (CSB) signed agreement for development and commercialization of handloom silk products.

Finance Ministry launched Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY), a pension scheme exclusively for senior citizens aged min 60 years. Under this, senior citizens will get guaranteed interest of 8% for 10 years depending upon investment made by them.

First ever Kargil International Marathon ‘Run for Sarhad’concluded with over 800 runners from all over the world participating in event.

Food Safety and Authority of India (FSSAI) banned stapler pins in tea bags from January 2018, in view of safety risks.

Global Conglomerate Siemens opened its first digital factory in India in Thane, (Maharashtra). Its Siemens' third digital factory globally after one each in Germany and China.

Goa Government has set up GST facilitation centres in ward offices across state, to assist taxpayers in resolving their technical issues related to migration to GST - registration, amendments, return filing and payments.

Google launched recruiting app Hire for small and medium sized businesses that integrates with G Suite, to compete with Microsoft-owned LinkedIn. Hire is an efficient app for managing recruitment prcesss from identifying talent to managing end-to-end interview process.

Government approved enhancement of age of superannuation of Medical Officers of Central Armed Police Forces and Assam Rifles from 60 to 65 years.

Government approved establishment of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh). It will be named as IRRI South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) and will be set up at campus of National Seed Research and Training Centre (NSRTC).

For this purpose, Agreement has been signed between India and IRRI Philippines. Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition (CERVA) will be also established in Varanasi.

Government modified strategy of BharatNet project for providing broadband connectivity to all Gra Panchayats by March 2019.

Government is still working on completing phase I of project for which deadline was March 2017. It was able to lay optical fibre in nearly 1 lakh GPs, however, only 22,000 GPs are provided Internet connectivity as of now due to equipment procurement issues.

Government for first time approved 3 infrastructure proposals to address infrastructure problem under Trade Infrastructure for Export Scheme (TIES). Projects are - Integrated Cargo Terminal at Imphal Airport, Modernisation of infrastructure facility for marine exports in Karnataka and construction of a Standard Design Factory building at Cochin Special Economic Zone.

TIES replaces Assistance to States for creating Infrastructure for the Development and growth of Exports (ASIDE) scheme to enhance export competitiveness by bridging gap in export infrastructure. It is being implemented from FY18 till FY20 with budgetary allocation of 600 crores.

Government has merged Ministries of Urban development and Housing and urban poverty alleviation. Merged Ministry will be known as Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). With this, Central Government now has 51 ministries.

Government laid Foundation stone of India’s biggest Global Skill Park was laid in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh). It park will come up on 37 acre land allotted in Narela Shankari area of Bhopal, with support of Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education and Education Services (ITEES).

Government launched Aarambh Mobile App for Road Maintenance, aiming to useGIS based mapping for making road inventories, condition surveys, and producing cost estimates etc. for preparation and monitoring of annual road maintenance plans.

Government launched Swachh Survekshan-2018 to rank all 4,041 cities and towns of country in terms of cleanliness with slogan Swachhata Ki Jyot Jagi Hai.

Government of Chhattisgarh has set a target of planting over eight Cr plant saplings by end of August 2017, under Harihar Chhattisgarh campaign.

Government released grant-in-aid of 51.3 crores to State Government of Arunachal Pradesh, for rescue and relief operations required on account of flash floods.

Government will open residential schools for scheduled caste girls in educationally backward districts. Schools will have classes from VI to XII and 70 % seats will be reserved for SC girls and remaining for Girls from BPL families in other categories.

HRD Ministry will remove no-detention policy from Right to Education Act 2009 from next academic year.

Under this, no child is detained or held back in any class or expelled till completion of elementary education covering classes 1 to 8.

As per records, this policy has resulted in improvement in enrollments but has brought down academic standards.

Haryana food and drugs administration department banned mixing of liquid nitrogen with any drink or food article, under section 34 of Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS) 2006. It came after a cocktail accident (due to mixing of liquid nitrogen in cocktail) at Gurgaon pub in April 2016 burnt a hole in a man’s stomach.

Haryana government will set up a modern ornamental fish hatchery in Jhajjar district.

Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda unveiled National Strategic Plan (NSP) for Malaria Elimination (2017-22). It has set malaria elimination deadline as 2027, three years ahead of global deadline (2030). NSP is based on 2016 National Framework for Malaria Elimination framed with support of WHO’s Global Technical Strategy for Malaria, 2016-2030.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh chaired first meeting of the newly constituted Islands Development Agency (IDA) that was set up on June 01, 2017. 10 islands in Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep have been identified for holistic development in first phase.

Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise for Jute (Jute – ICARE) was launched in 2015 to popularize better agronomic practices and recently developed microbial-assisted retting among farmers intensively in a few blocks in West Bengal and Assam on pilot basis. It Resulted in increase of earnings of jute farmers by over INR 10,000 per hectare.

India launched its first petroleum Research & Development (R&D) facility for testing high-end BS-VI quality fuel emissions in Faridabad (Haryana). This facility is designed to test all types of fuel products, to ensure that it meets superior BS-VI norms to be implemented by April 2020.

India will host 51-day Long 8th International Theatre Olympics in February 2018. It will be first ever Hosting of greatest carnival of theatre in world by India. It be organised by National School of Drama (NSD) and Union Culture Ministry.

India will invite 10 leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as Chief Guests for 2018 Republic Day celebrations. Republic Day 2018 would be the first Republic Day event that will have so many leaders as the chief guests.

India's Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) partenred with with Egyptian Exchange (EGX) for cooperation in exchange of information across business areas.

India's Taj Mahal named in top 10 landmarks in world by securing fifth position in top 10 Travellers' Choice awards for Landmarks. Angkor Wat in Siem Reap (Cambodia) topped the list followed by Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi (UAE).

Indian Railways launched India’s first solar powered diesel multiple unit (DEMU) broad gauge train with a 1600 Horse Power (HP) Engine. Train will run from Sarai Rohilla in Delhi to Farukh Nagar in Haryana.

Solar energy system fitted in DEMU train would result in saving 5.25 lakh litres of diesel per train over 25 years. It will also help in reducing 1350 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per train over 25 years.

Indian Railways launched Rail SAARTHI (synergised advanced application rail travel help and information) mobile application to cater to various passenger requirements including ticket booking, inquiry, on-board cleaning and ordering meal on a single platform.

Indian Railways launched RailCloud, a virtual server with an inbuilt security system that will enable faster connectivity at a reduced cost.

RailCloud works on Cloud Computing system, an emerging technology for faster and on demand commensurate deployment of server resources which results in reduced cost.

RailCloud has been developed by rail PSU RailTel as part of Railways strategic IT initiative, IR—OneICT.

NIVARAN (Grievance Portal) Became First IT application to be hosted on RailCloud.

Indian city of Ahmedabad (Gujarat) has been declared as India’s first World Heritage City by UNESCO, recognising heritage value of walled city’s unique heritage.

Indian government will organize a global food fair in Delhi in November as World Food India 2017, to provide a platform to Indian farmers and manufacturers to showcase their products and explore partnerships with foreign companies.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) announced exemption of fees for its transgender students of all programmes.

International Migration Outlook report 2017 released by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Jammu and Kashmir Government Hosted first ever ‘Cultrue of Cruise’ cultural programme at Dal Lake (Srinagar), aimed to bring artists from various fields on one stage.

Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das inaugurated India’s largest fresh water aquarium Ranchi Machchli Ghar in Ranchi. It is spread in over 36,000 sq feet area with 58 fish tanks.

Karnataka government launched Elevate 100 scheme to identify and nurture innovative start-ups. It aims to identify 100 most innovative start-ups in state and elevate them to higher success.

Kerala Government launched G-Ride app as a digital ride sharing platform. It will aim at bringing down number of vehicles used by people.

Kerala government will set up stray dog zoos to keep them off streets in the State.

Lok Sabha passed Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill 2017 to amend Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act (RTE) 2009 to extend deadline for teachers to acquire minimum qualifications for appointment. Inadequately qualified teachers as on March 31 2015, working after enactment of RTE Act 2009 will have to acquire minimum qualifications by March 31, 2019 to hold their jobs as teachers.

Lok Sabha passed Indian Institute of Information Technology Public Private Partnership (IIIT-PPP) Bill 2017 to allow 15 IIITs established on a PPP model to grant degrees and get statutory status. IIITs will also be given status of Institute of National Importance, Like IITs and NITs.

Government initiated opening 20 IIITs with private partnership of which 15 are already operational, at Cost of INR 128 crores each. Centre contributed 50% of amount, states 35% and private partners remaining 15%.

Lok Sabha passed Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Bill 2017 to -

Declares IIMs as institutions of national importance and empower these institutions to attain standards of global excellence in management, management research and allied areas of knowledge.

It also grants complete administrative, academic and financial autonomy to these B-Schools and allow them to grant degrees.

Madhya Pradesh’s school education department is implementing Hamari Shala Kaisi Ho and Shala Siddhi Karyakram in all government schools of the state in order to provide qualitative education to students.

Madras High Court ruled that Vande Mataram should be sung in all schools and colleges across Tamil Nadu atleast once in a week and in government and private offices atleast once in a month.

Maharashtra become first state to provide women an injectable contraceptive for free, Medroxyprogesterone acetate (a birth-control hormone).

Maharashtra government approved revised Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree scheme that benefits families with yearly income under INR 7.5 lakh. It aims at improving skewed girl child ratio in state and was launched by state government on April 1, 2016 in place of ‘Sukanya’ scheme.

Maharashtra state government will create cycle tracks through'streets with cycle track project to encourage use of bicycles, to ease congestion and reduce air pollution.

Maharashtra’s women commission signed agreement with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for rescue and rehabilitation of women who are victims of sex trafficking, acid attack and domestic violence.

Manipur Government declared present Flood situation in State as a Severe State Calamity.

Meghalaya Government launched flagship program Livelihood Intervention and Facilitation of Entrepreneurship (LIFE), aiming at state's 2144 villages in 2017 - 18. It will focus on capacity building of SHGs (Self-Help Groups).

Microsoft launched Kaizala productivity designed to enhance collaboration and communication experience for Indian enterprises. It will enable organizations to interact with people within organization and outside like partners and vendors more conveniently.

Microsoft signed an agreement with National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) to offer Microsoft Aspire School Program (MASP) Pro Plus to over 55,000 member schools in India. It aims to equip schools with technology and innovative learning solutions.

Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs M Venkaiah Naidu released new version of National Housing Bank's NHB RESIDEX, that captures movements in prices of residential real estate prices.

Sagar Vani app -

It will provide ocean information services of ESSO-Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) directly to end user, to remove delay in dissemination of valuable information.

India Quake App -

It will provide Earthquakes related information compiled by National Centre for Seismology (NCS) directly to end user, to remove delay in dissemination of valuable information. It will also help in reducing panic amongst people during an earthquake. For example, if an earthquake occurs in Afghanistan and is strongly felt in Delhi, then people in Delhi will know in less than 2 minutes that earthquake has actually occurred in Afghanistan and not in Delhi.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju inaugurated Research Institution of World Ancient, Traditional, Culture & Heritage (RIWATCH) Museum at Roing in Arunachal Pradesh.

Government will establish Garib Nawaz Skill Development Centres in 100 districts of country, aimed at implying employability skills in youth belonging to Minority communities.

Ministry of AYUSH has constituted a National Board for Promotion and Development of Yoga & Naturopathy (NBPDYN) for regulation of education & practice of Yoga & Naturopathy.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released Operational Guidelines for Planning and Implementation of Family Participatory Care (FPC) for improving newborn health.

FPC is an important concept of health care as it provides partnership between health care staff and families in care of sick newborns admitted in Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU). FPC are needed as Sick and newborn are highly vulnerable and require careful nurturing in order to survive neonatal period and first year of life.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare signed MOU with Government of West Bengal to to set up a state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence in Transfusion Medicine at Kolkata.

Ministry of Housing and Urban Development approved construction of 30,000 affordable houses in Maharashtra’s Sholapur district for urban poor on private land under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). It is first such project to be taken up on private land under PMAY(U).

Earlier approved projects for affordable housing projects were built on lands belonging to state government / municipal corporations.

Ministry of Power launched a portal for optimum utilization of domestic coal by independent power producer (IPP), that would estimatedly save the consumer close to Rs. 20,000 crore in 5 years.

Ministry of Rural Development will launch Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana (AGEY), a sub-scheme under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). AGEY aims to provide alternative source of livelihood to members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) by facilitating them to operate public transport services in backward rural areas.

Ministry of Science & Technology launched National Biopharma Mission as first ever Industry-Academia mission to accelerate biopharmaceutical development in India. Under this mission, ministry also launched Innovate in India (i3) program to create an enabling ecosystem to promote entrepreneurship and indigenous manufacturing in sector.

Innovate in India (i3) program i3 is a flagship program of India that will witness an investment of $250 million with $125 million as a loan from world Bank. It is committed to make India a hub for design and development of novel, affordable and effective biopharmaceutical products and solutions.

It will strive to increase India’s global biopharmaceutical market share from current 2.8% to 5%.

Ministry of Women and Child Development launched an online patform ‘SHe-box (Sexual Harassment Electronic Box) to enable women employees of the Central government to file complaints related to sexual harassment at work place.

NITSER (National Institutes of Technology, Science Education and Research) Amendment Bill has been passed in Rajya Sabha, to introduce 2 new Institutions namely Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati and IISER Berhampur in Second Schedule of NITSER Act 2007.

Nagaland has been declared as disturbed area for 6 more months under Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere without any prior notice to civil administration.

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) and Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) launched a joint venture company to set up an aluminium park at Angul (Odisha) with Investment of INR 180 crores. Odisha currently contributes about 54% of India’s total aluminium smelting capacity.

National Book Trust (NBT) launched Har Haath Ek Kitaab (One Book for Every Hand) scheme, that allows people to make donations to children between age 6 - 12 in the form of books with a simple method. NBT has tied up with e-Commerce site Smapdeal for this purpose.

National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) launched its own quality mark logo for dairy products in country, aimed at bringing improvement in entire value chain from producer to the consumer to ensure availability of safe and quality of milk and products.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed nationwide ban on use of kite strings (manja), made of nylon or any synthetic material, as it poses threat to animals and humans.

National Security Guard (NSG) organized First International Aviation Security Seminar in Manesar (Haryana).

New Delhi-based The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) is ranked 2nd among world’s best climate think tank by International Centre for Climate Governance (ICCG) in category 2016 Top Climate Think Tanks in the Rest of the World-Absolute Global Rankings. It was announced during ICCG’s 23rd annual conference of European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (EAERE) in Athens (Greece).

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik dedicated to nation the state’s longest bridge and named it after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The 2.88 km bridge connects Barang on outskirts of Bhubaneswar with Judicial Academy Chhak in Cuttack.

Odisha Governmwnr will also set up an international standard sports city in state.

Odisha is first state to implement an integrated Core Banking Solution Project for farmers, to ensure transparency. It will cover all 3 tiers of short term cooperative credit structure - state cooperative bank, district central cooperative banks and 2,708 primary agriculture cooperative societies.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated a memorial for former Indian President A P J Abdul Kalam at his birthplace near Rameswaram (Tamilnadu).

Parliament passed Collection of Statistics (Amendment) Bill 2017 after it was approved by Rajya Sabha. It amends Collection of Statistics Bill 2008 that facilitates collection of statistics related to social, economic, demographic, scientific and environmental aspects by central, state and local governments. Changes are -

Bill extends jurisdiction of the parent act to the state of Jammu and Kashmir for collection of statistics.

It adds provisions for appointment of a nodal officer by government, who will coordinate statistical activities.

The Bill removes provision dealing with information collected under it only is used for statistical purposes and allows government to determine manner in which such information collected will be used for statistical purposes.

President Pranab Mukherjee approved Maharashtra Prohibition of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2016. Maharashtra is first state to formulate a law to punish social boycott.

President Pranab Mukherjee approved a bill banning hookah bars in Gujarat, provisioning max Jail term of 3 years for violators.

President Pranab Mukherjee approved promulgation of The Prevention of cruelty to Animals (Karnataka Amendment) Ordinance, 2017 by Governor of Karnataka in pursuance of Article 213 of Constitution.

It now legalises Kambala, bullock cart races and bull runs as traditional sports involving animals and exempt them from Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.

President Pranab Mukherjee dedicated BML Munjal University to nation.

BML Munjal University (BMU) is based in Haryana. It was founded by promoters of Hero Group and is named after group's chairman and founder Brij Mohan Lall Munjal.

President Pranab Mukherjee launched 2 programmes to take education to remote areas with help of technology - Swayam and Swayam Prabha.

Under Swayam, courses would be offered through digital classrooms with online study material available free of cost in videos

SWAYAM Prabha is set of 32 DTH channels operationalised for telecasting high quality educational content free of charge using the GSAT-15 satellite transponders.

Prez also launched a National Academic Depository where verified educational records would be digitally stored by universities or a board to counter forgery. National Digital Library is also launched as large online library containing 6.5 million books.

Punjab Government approved new transport policy that abolishes system of district transport officers (DTO) and restructures transport department. A special task force has been set up and the state police to crack down on all illegall buses. Permits will be valid for a 5 years from date of issue.

Punjab government launched Apni Gaddi Apna Rozgar scheme by flagging off over 100 uber MOTO bikes. Under this, state government will provide commercial two wheelers and four wheelers to unemployed youth at subsidized rates.

Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) signed MoU with National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) for redevelopment of 10 railway stations on global standards - Tirupati, Nellore, Puducherry, Sarai Rohilla (Delhi), Madgaon, Lucknow, Gomtinagar, Kota, Thane (New) and Ernakulam. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be formed as a Joint Venture (JV) company between RLDA and NBCC on 50:50 basis.

Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport ranked first in Customer Satisfaction among 49 airports in country with score of 4.84 score out of 5. Raipur airport is followed by Udaipur, Amritsar and Dehradun airports.

Rajasthan became first State to set minimum educational qualifications for contesting elections to village cooperative societies and various other cooperative bodies, amending State Cooperative Societies Rules 2003.

Required educational qualifications - Class 5 to 8th for members of governing boards of various cooperative societies, 8th for primary committee members, 10th for district-level committees and graduation for state level committees.

Rajasthan will also be first state to establish Recruitment Board by Cooperative Committees, to ensure more and efficient employment in cooperatives.

Rajya Sabha passed Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Bill 2017 that repeals laws such as Admiralty Court Act 1861 and Colonial Courts of Admiralty Act 1890. It was passed by Lok Sabha in March 2017.

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited and Cement Corporation of India signed MOU to set up 2 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) Fly Ash and Blast Furnace Slag based Cement Plant in Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) as a Joint Venture in 2 phases of 1 million tonne capacity each.

A submarine cable system is a cable system that consists of telecom and internet cables, which are laid on the seabed between land-based stations. These cables carry telecommunication and data signals across stretches of oceans.

AAE-1 is a combination of leading telecom service providers from Europe, Middle East and Asia. It will link with other cable systems and fibre networks to deliver direct access to all global markets.

Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Ministry announced assistance of INR 200 crores to assam for repairs of National Highways damaged due to heavy rains and INR 400 Crores for dredging work in Brahmaputra river.

Scientists from Geological Survey of India (GSI) discovered presence of millions of tonnes of precious metals and minerals deep under waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of peninsular India. GSI for first time has identified huge presence of marine resources off Mangaluru, Mannar Basin, Chennai, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

State government of Madhya Pradesh appointed a four-member food commission headed by Rajkishore Swain, in accordance with National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013. It has came in line with supreme court's recent announcement that National Food Security (NFS) Act 2013 has not been implemented properly and has been postponed by various states.

Student- scientist connect programme Jigyasa has been officially launched in Delhi, jontly by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).

Supreme Court allowed Government to replace oversight committee set up to supervise functioning of Medical Council of India (MCI) with a fresh panel of five eminent doctors.

Oversight committee was set up by SC in May 2016 to oversee MCI’s functioning. It was led by former Chief Justice R.M. Lodha.

Supreme Court asked Union government to formalise appointment of election commissioners through law.

SC stated that there is expectation in Constitution that Election Commissioners, who are charged with important duty of conducting free and fair elections must be appointed through a process formalised by a law enacted by Parliament.

At present, there is no transparency in the eligibility, criteria required for a person to be appointed as an election commissioner.

Supreme Court exempted Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands from ban on sale of liquor within 500 metres of National and State Highways.

Supreme Court imposed ban on use of 5 harmful heavy metals - lithium, antimony, mercury, arsenic and lead in manufacturing firecrackers due to air pollution caused by them.

Supreme Court ruled that police cannot arrest accused family without conducting a preliminary inquiry under dowry harassment cases filed under Section 498A of Indian Penal Code (IPC), in view of misuse of anti-dowry harassment law framed in 1983.

Supreme Court will set up a nine-judge bench to decide whether Right to Privacy in India can be defined as a fundamental right under Constitution or not.

Telangana government imposed a cap on weight of bags carried by school children in order to prevent any physical disorders. Max Permissible weight is -

Class 1 & 2 => 1.5 kg

Class 3 - 5 => 2-3 kg

Class 6 -7 -> 4 kg

Class 8 - 9 => 4.5 kg.

Class X => 5 kg.

Telangana government launched grievances redressal portal called Janahitha, as a fast and single window facility for all public grievances.

Telangana will be First Indian state to have eco-friendly bridges for easy movement of tigers, over a canal cutting across tiger corridor linking Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra with forests in Telangana’s Kumram Bheem Asifabad district.

Telangana will be first state to build India’s first university exclusively for Dalit students in 2018.

Telangana will present a separate agriculture budget for state from next year (2018 - 19), aiming to boost Agriculture sector with more focus and funds.

UP Government launched Uttar Pradesh Real Estate Regulatory Authority (UP RERA) website - http://www.up-rera.in, putting details of all real estate projects and builders in public domain and accessible for all.

Bollywood actor Inder Kumar passed away.

Famous blue-bordered sari of Mother Teresa, who has been canonized as Saint Teresa of Calcutta by Vatican, has been recognized as an Intellectual Property of the Missionaries of Charity. This is the first time that a uniform has been made the intellectual property.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh passed away.

Former Noted Australian Tennis player Mervyn Rose passed away.

Former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari passes away.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai joined board of directors of Alphabet, Google’s parent company. Pichai has efficiently led Google for past 2 years.

Renowned Indian Scientist Professor Yash Pal passed away, Known for his contributions to study of cosmic rays. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1976 and Padma Vibhushan in 2013.

Renowned cartoonist Mangesh Tendulkar passed away.

Toronto Film Festival (Canada) will honour Priyanka Chopra in event to be held in September 2017. It will aim at collecting funds to be used for helping fund talent development programs to get more women behind and in front of the camera.

U Min Aung Hlaing, Chief of Myanmar Defence Services Visited India.

UAE Minister of State for Tolerance Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi has been named most powerful Arab women in government for 2017.

UNICEF appointed Indian- origin Canadian Lilly Singh as its newest Global Goodwill Ambassador.

Yesteryear actress Madhubala became latest to join Bollywood celebrities whose wax figures will be set up at Madame Tussauds Museu to be open in late 2017 in Delhi Regal Building.

Science

Canadian scientists identified a new bird-like species of dinosaur that lived nearly 71 million years ago and was about the size of a person. It has been named as the Albertavenator curriei, in honour of famous Canadian palaeontologist Philip J. Currie.

A group of scientists started a new expedition aimed at unlocking secrets of lost continent ‘Zealandia’, which is mostly submerged and believed to have sunk after breaking away from Australia 60 - 85 million years ago.

Expedition is called Expedition 371 and is funded by National Science Foundation and the International Ocean Discovery Program.

Team includes over 30 scientists aboard JOIDES Resolution, a massive scientific drilling ship. Duration of trip will be approx 2 months.

According to study at University of Hyderabad, Castor bean plants can prove very useful in fighting soil pollution as these plants can absorb toxic heavy metals from soil from these polluted areas due to industrial pollution.

An Australian Researchers discovered a new species of giant ocean sunfish, heaviest type of bony fish that can weigh over two tonnes and grow to 3 metres long. It has been named as hoodwinker (mola tecta).

India's 2nd and Tamil Nadu's First Zika Virus Case has been reported (First in Ahmedabad in May 2017).

Zika virus is vector borne disease transmitted primarily by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, same mosquito that transmits dengue. It is also sexually transmissible. It can cause serious birth defects Including neurological disorders and foetal deformation (Microcephaly) in which infants are born with abnormally smaller heads.

Indian astronomers fro Pune Based Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) identified extremely large supercluster of galaxies located in the direction of constellation Pisces, named as Saraswati. Saraswati supercluster is 4 billion light years away from Earth and may contain mass equivalent of 20 million billion suns.

Ministry of Science and Technology launched SOHUM, an indigenously developed low-cost hearing screening device for newborns. It has been developed by School of International Biodesign (SIB) startup Sohum Innovation Labs India. Sohum aims to minimise or reverse hearing loss damage and uses brain-stem auditory evoked response.

NASA is developing Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) as first-ever mission that will deflect a near-Earth asteroid, to be built and managed by John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL).

It will work on kinetic impactor technique, that involves sending one or more large, high-speed spacecraft into path of an approaching near-earth object to shift its orbit to defend against future impact.

Target for DART is an asteroid called Didymos that will have a distant approach to Earth in October 2022 and then again in 2024. Asteroid Didymos (Greek word for twin) is an asteroid binary system that consists of Didymos A (780 metres), and Didymos B (160 metres).

NASA’s Juno spacecraft became first space probe to successfully comlete a flyby into Jupiter’s giant storm known as Great Red Spot.

Great Red Spot on Jupiter is a massive storm (cyclone) measuring about 16,000 km in diameter. It is largest known storm in solar system.

NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft unveiled a set of new maps of Pluto and its largest moon Charon on occassion of 2 year anniversary of its flyby around Pluto.

Researchers at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata have developed an organic-inorganic hybrid material which is fire and rust resistant. It was synthesised by combining polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) and diphenylalanine.

Researchers at UK's Cardiff University have produced world's most detailed scan of brain's internal wiring -

Scan showed direction of messaging and also density of brain's wiring.

This detailed scan of brain’s wiring will help increase understanding of a range of neurological disorders and can be used instead of invasive biopsies.

Researchers at University of Edinburgh (UK) stated that surface of Mars has chemical compounds called perchlorates that can kill bacteria, when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This has given a blow to hopes of finding alien life on surface of Mars.

Researchers discovered a very distant galaxy , which is over 1000 times brighter than our Milky Way Galaxy. To measure this galaxy, researchers used Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) in Spain.

Researchers from San Antonio Catholic University of Spain discovered novobiocin compound that could be used as a potential drug to fight Zika virus infection. Researchers found that novobiocin compound shown phenomenal recovery results in mice with 100 % cure rate.

It was also found that commonly used malaria drug hydroxychloroquine can block Zika virus from crossing placenta and getting into the foetus and damaging its brain.

Researchers in UK produced specific human antibodies in laboratory by treating patient-derived B cells with tiny nanoparticles coated with both CpG oligonucleotides and an antigen, paving way for rapid development of new vaccines to treat a wide range of infectious diseases.

Scientists at Purdue University in USA (including Karthik Ramani of India) have developed new artificial intelligence (AI) software called SurfNet that can create three dimensional (3D) models from 2D photographs. It can be of great use in robotics, object recognition and even self-driving cars.

Scientists discovered new species of glow-in-the-dark shark living 1,000 feet below Pacific Ocean off coast of northwestern Hawaiian islands. It is named Etmopterus lailae and belongs to lanternshark family.

Scientists from Cornell University (USA) announced that world’s 6 smallest spacecrafts dubbed as Sprites ever launched are successfully travelling in low Earth orbit and communicating with systems on Earth.

Sprites were launched on June 23, 2017 by Indian rocket Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) as part of Breakthrough Starshot project designed to test technologies that would eventually be used for interstellar missions. These are smallest spacecrafts to establish contact with ground stations. Sprites are built on a single 3.5*3.5 centimeter circuit board and weigh 4 grams each.

Breakthrough Starshot space program is launched under US $100 million Breakthrough Initiatives, announced by Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking to develop and launch practical interstellar space missions. It aims to demonstrate proof of concept for light-propelled spacecraft that could fly at 20 % of light speed. Its main objective is to send one-gram chips to star systems beyond the solar system in search of extraterrestrial intelligence.

Scientists from ETH Zurich in Switzerland developed a 3D-printed soft silicone heart that closely resembles and functions like human organ. It is not exact biological replica of actual, but can help to save lives of people who suffer from cardiac failure.

Scientists from Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram have developed gelator that can suck up oil and congeal it. Gelator is a hydrophobic material with property of oleilophilic (oil-loving) and takes up oil when it comes in contact with it.It can be used to recover marine oil spills with a simple, efficient and cost-effective method.

Scientists from NASA for first time will chase shadow of moon using two of NASA’s WB-57F research jets during upcoming total solar eclipse in USA, to capture clearest ever images of Sun’s outer atmosphere (Corona).

It is needed as Corona of sun (gaseous envelope surrounding sun) is heated to millions of degrees, but lower atmospheric layers like photosphere are only heated at a few thousand degrees.

Total solar eclipse will provide rare opportunity for scientists to study the sun's atmosphere. During this eclipse, moon will completely cover the sun and perfectly blocking its light so that faint corona is easily seen against dark sky.

Scientists from New Zealand claimed that vaccine can protect against the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoea. They found that Men B jab vaccine originally developed to stop an outbreak of meningitis B can protect from gonorrhoea.

Scientists from Northwestern University (USA) created miniature versions of Saturn, complete with rings, by electrifying tiny droplets of fluids.

When a drop of electrically conductive liquid is exposed to an electric field, droplet formes two electrically charged poles that can get pulled towards sources of electric field, taking on cone shapes. If pull is strong enough, tips of the cones can spray jets of droplets. This effect is known as electrospraying.

Scientists from Oregon Health and Science University (USA) successfully edited genes of human embryos to correct defective DNA that cause inherited diseases, using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology to alter human DNA in single-cell embryos, which allows specific sections of DNA to be altered or replaced.

Scientists from Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Germany developed world’s Most sharpe and Precise laser, that can be useful for various applications such as optical atomic clocks, radioastronomy, precision spectroscopy, testing theory of relativity and carry out new precision measurements on ultracold atoms.

Theoretically, laser light has only 1 colour, wavelength or frequency. In reality, however, there is always a certain linewidth. This newly developed laser has linewidth of only 10 miliHertz (0.01 Hz), closer to ideal laser than ever before.

Scientists from USA's Harvard Medical School for first time encoded a small movie clip in DNA of living bacterial cells and then played it back. They used CRISPR gene-editing technique to encode and retrieve reconstructed frames of a classic 1870s racehorse in motion sequence of photos into genome of common bacteria E. coli. Film stored in DNA of bacteria was also well preserved and was intact even in new generation of bacteria.

Scientists from USA's Harvard University have developed a super strong, flexible adhesive material inspired by glue secreted by slugs that sticks to biological tissues without causing toxicity. It is biocompatible and binds to tissues with a strength comparable to the body's own resilient cartilage.

Scientists from University of Cambridge (UK) developed super-stretchy and strong artificial (synthetic) spider silk, almost entirely (98 %) composed of water. Spider silk is one of strongest materials for applications such as making eco-friendly textiles and sensors.

Scientists from University of Cambridge (UK) spotted smallest star discovered so far, named as EBLM J0555-57Ab.

It was identified by SuperWASP, a planet-finding experiment run by several universities. EBLM J0555-57Ab is located about 600 light years away and is slightly larger than Saturn in size.

It is as small as stars can possibly become as it has just enough mass to enable the fusion of hydrogen nuclei into helium at its centre.

Biomethane is a naturally occurring gas which is produced by anaerobic digestion of organic matter such as dead animal and plant material, manure, sewage, organic waste, etc.

University of Hyderabad and IIT Bombay stated that extreme El Nino conditions and warming of Bay of Bengal had resulted in unprecedented heavy rainfall in Chennai between November 30th to December 2nd in 2015.

El Nino causes less than normal rainfall in case of south-west monsoon but does reverse in case of the northeast monsoon.

India won 4 medals in this championship - 1 Gold and 3 Bronze.

Bronze - Ajay Singh, S. Nirpupama Devi and Lovepreet Singh.

Gold - Konsam Ormila.

Bharat Arun has been appointed Indian Cricket Team's bowling coach until 2019 World Cup.

Sanjay Bangar has been appointed assistant coach and R Sridhar as fielding coach till 2019 ODI World Cup.

Canadian Swimmer Kylie Masse has set up a new 100m backstroke world gold during world aquatics championships in Budapest (Hungary) by completing in 58.10 seconds.

Caeleb Dressel of USA also made headlines by becoming first swimmer to win 3 gold medals on a single night at 2017 FINA World Aqatics Championships in Budapest (Hungary).

England won ICC Women's World Cup 2017 with final held at Lord's (London) by defeating India in Final. It was fourth Women's World Cup title for England.

India captain Mithali Raj named as Captain of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 team by International cricket Council (ICC). Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma were other two Indians included in ICC’s team.

Ferrari Racer Sebastian Vettel (Germany) won Hungarian Grand Prix -

2017 Formula 1 Season -

Round

Grand Prix

Winner

Date

1

Australian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (Germany)

26 March

2

Chinese Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (Britain)

9 April

3

Bahrain Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (Germany)

16 April

4

Russian Grand Prix

Valtteri Bottas (Finland)

30 April

5

Spanish Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (Britain)

14 May

6

Monaco Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (Germany)

28 May

7

Canadian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (UK)

11 June

8

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Daniel Ricciardo (Australia)

25 June

9

Austrian Grand Prix

Valtteri Bottas (Finland)

9 July

10

British Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton (Britain)

16 July

11

Hungarian Grand Prix

Sebastian Vettel (Germany)

30 July

12

Belgian Grand Prix

27 August

13

Italian Grand Prix

3 September

14

Singapore Grand Prix

17 September

15

Malaysian Grand Prix

1 October

16

Japanese Grand Prix

8 October

17

United States Grand Prix

22 October

18

Mexican Grand Prix

29 October

19

Brazilian Grand Prix

12 November

20

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

26 November

Former Indian Cricketer Sandeep Patil has named as brand ambassador of Indian Indoor Cricket Team for 10th World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF) World Cup to be held in September 2017 in Dubai.

Former Pakistan Cricketer Misbah-ul-Haq honoured with Honorary Life Membership by England's Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).

Former professional Indian tennis player Somdev Devvarman has been appointed to lead a Centre of Excellence at Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA).

Germany won First FIFA Confederation Cup Football title by defeating Chile in St Petersburg (Russia).

India team (consisting of Pankaj Advani and Laxman Rawat) won Asian Team Snooker Championship in Kyrgyzstan, by defeating Pakistan.

India's Mithali Raj became first player in International women's ODI cricket to score over 6000 runs. She achieved this during a ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 match at Bristol (UK) against Australia. She went past Charlotte Edwards (England).

Indian Damneet Singh won India’s Only medal (silver in hammer throw) at IAAF World U18 Championships held in Nairobi (Kenya).

Indian woman badminton player Ritika Thaker won singles title in Ivory Coast International badminton tournament. While, Ritika Thaker and Simran Singhi won women’s doubles title.

India’s Harinder Pal Sandhu won South Australian Open squash title by defeating Rhys Dowling of Australia.

International Boxing Association (AIBA) announced that India will host their first Men’s World Championship in 2021.

AIBA Men’s World Championships 2019 will be held in Sochi (Russia). 2018 Women’s World Championships will be held in Delhi.

International Swimming Federation (FINA) announced that Russian city of Kazan and Hungarian city Budapest will host 2022, 2024 Short Course Swimming Championships respectively.

Jehan Daruvala became first Indian Racing driver to win in FIA Formula 3 European Championship held in Germany.

Karnataka’s Manudev won first National Masters snooker tournament title in Chennai.

United States

20

19

20

59

3

Great Britain

18

8

13

39

4

Ukraine

12

6

11

29

5

Australia

11

9

8

28

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